Sharon’s Temple Mount visit triggers security concerns and alleged PA‑planned violence

Sharon’s Temple Mount visit triggers security concerns and alleged PA‑planned violence The passage outlines a political stunt by Ariel Sharon (then Israeli leader) to visit the Temple Mount, the involvement of senior security officials, and an intelligence claim that the Palestinian Authority planned violence in response. It provides specific names, dates, and conditions, offering a concrete lead for further investigation into coordination between Israeli security decisions and PA actions, but the claims are unverified and lack direct evidence of wrongdoing. Key insights: Sharon sought to visit the Temple Mount despite political pressure to block it.; Shin Bet chief Avi Dichter and interim Foreign Minister/Shin Bet Shlomo Ben‑Ami assessed no public‑order risk.; Conditions were imposed by West Bank security chief Jibril Rajoub: no Friday visit and Sharon not entering mosque areas.